Roll feed attachment for duplicating apparatus



Dec. 20, 1966 D. w. YSAMES ETAL ROLL FEED ATTACHMENT FOR DUPLICATING APPARATUS I 2 Shets-Shee Filed June 5, 1964 INVENTORS. DELBERT W. SAMES DONALD P. KRESGE ATTORNEY D. W. SAMES ETAL ROLL FEED ATTACHMENT FOR DUPLICATING APPARATUS Dec. 20, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 5, 1964 INVENTORS. DELBERT W. SAMES DONALD P. KRESGE llrr/IT 1 I1 FIG. 4

BY J m Wm ff MQWJ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,292,471 ROLL FEED ATTACHMENT FOR DUPLICATING APPARATUS Delbert W. Sames, Conklin, and Donald P. Kresge, Binghamton, N.Y., assignors to General Aniline & Film Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 5, 1964, Ser. No. 372,901 Claims. (Cl. 83203) This invention relates to photocopying or duplicating apparatus and, more particularly, to the feeding and handling of sensitized paper in continuous sheet form for processing in such apparatus.

In the copying art, various processes are employed for making a duplicate copy of an original. Photocopying employs light-sensitive materials which are exposed in contact with an original in order to obtain a print thereof. In thermo-printing, use is made of heat-sensitive materials which, in contact with an original, are subjected to radiation rich in infrared to obtain a print of the original.

Whatever the process may be, it is advantageous to use sensitized material in continuous sheet or web form placed on a storage roll from which various lengths may be cut by the operator of the machine in accordance with the requirements dictated by the length of the original to be copied.

In the reproduction of engineering drawings which are of larger sizes and lengths, the diazotype machines are particularly advantageous. These generally employ a rotating glass cylinder containing an ultraviolet light source. The sensitized sheet, in contact with the original, is passed over the cylinder for exposure, after which the original is returned from the machine and the exposed sensitized sheet is conveyed further for either gaseous or moist development.

In machines of the above type, the roll stock of sensitized material is hand fed by the operator and cut to the required size by the snapping of a steel Wire at the time the original is about to be fully conveyed into the machine. Such cutting can never be made accurately to the size of the original, thus leaving large margins of unused sensitized material to pass through the machine. This represents not only a waste of the material itself, but also a waste of time caused, first by the operators judgment in cutting and, secondly, by the time required for the unused portion of the material to pass through the machine.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide an automatic roll feeding instrumentality which may easily be attached to existing duplicating machines of various types or may be built integral therewith.

It is a particular feature of the invention that feeding from a storage roll into the duplicating apparatus is automatically effected by the presence of an original to be copied and such feed progresses until the original passes the reference point.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the sensitized sheet material is automatically cut to any length corresponding to an original which may be inserted into the machine for copying.

It is an ancillary feature of the invention that the storage roll of the sensitized material located in a compartment may easily be inserted into the apparatus and the compartment automatically partially opened upon depletion of the roll so as to indicate the needfor refill,

Other objects and features will be apparent from the following description of the invention, pointed out in particularity in the appended claims, and taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the roll feeding attachment applied to a diazotype reproducing apparatus, various portions being broken away for illustration;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the roll feeding and cutting apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the roll storage compartment in tilted position; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive and cutting assembly together with the circuit of the electrical sensing elements.

As mentioned before, the automatic roll feeding device of the present invention may be applied to various types of duplicating or photocopyinng apparatus. By Way of example, in describing the construction and operation thereof, a conventional diazotype machine has been chosen as part of the assembly. Only pertinent portions of such a machine are illustrated since, except for the infeed of the original and sensitized material, the ensuing printing and developing functions have no bearing on the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the reproduction apparatus portion shown comprises the housing 6, the infeed rollers 7 and 8, the latter being driven by the chain 9. The infeed channel for the original is provided by the guide plates 10 and 11 which converge toward the infeed rollers 7 and 8. The latter, in fact, carry the endless feed belts 12 which wrap around the printing cylinder within the machine, not shown here, and thus convey the original and the sensitized material.

The roll feed attachment, in accordance with the invention, includes the roll compartment 14 which is tiltable over pivot 15, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The spool 16 which carries the roll stock is supported in suitable bearings formed by a slotted block 17 attached to the inner Wall plate 18 of the roll compartment 14.

A pair of feed rollers 19 and 20, of which the latter is driven by means of a magnetic clutch and gear arrangement, is provided for conveying the sensitized material 22 into the reproduction machine, namely, between the bite of infeed roller 7 and 8. The drive consists of the intermediate gear 23 which engages the gear 24 of the roller 20. The coupling between these is controlled by an electric clutch 25, the operation of which will be described later.

The power drive may be taken from the duplicating machine in various ways. By Way of example, it is shown as comprising the chain 26, the sprocket 27 attached to the shaft of the infeed roller 8, idler sprocket 28, and drive sprockets 30 and 31, the latter driving the gear 23.

The sensitized material 22 is looped under a straightening rod 32 attached to the inner wall of the casing 33. The purpose of the rod is to provide enough back curl to calender the rolled material 22 before it enters the driven components of the roll feeder. Passing under the rod 32, the material 22 is then inserted between the feed rollers 19 and 20 by rotating roller 19 by hand. This operation is performed by hand whenever a new roll of sensitized material is placed into the machine. In the path of the sensitized material 22 is an electrically operated rotary knife 37, the stationary cutting edge thereof being part of the support 35. i

As mentioned before, the infeed channel for the original 29 is between guide plates 10 and 11 which converge toward the infeed rollers 7 and 8. At this point, the original 29 meets the sensitized material 22. The feedin of the original is effected by rollers 39 and 40, the latter being power driven from the sprocket 30 over which the chain 26 is looped. Extending into the infeed channel for the original 29 are resilient fingers 42 and 43 of electrical sensing elements in the form of switches 42' and 43', respectively.

The purpose of the placement of the sensing elements will be described in connection with the operation of the feed system. A third switch 44 is placed further along the path of the original 29. It functions simply to activate a pilot light 45 for indicating the passage of the original 29 beyond this reference point, and the readiness of the apparatus to accept another original for processing.

The first step in the operation of the roll feed attachment is, of course, the loading of roll stock. This is placed in a special compartment 14 which is opened by tilting it over the pivot 15. The sensitized material 22 is then guided under the calender rod 32 as previously mentioned.

As seen in FIG. 3, the pivot point of the compartment is eccentric with respect to the center of gravity so that it has a tendency to tilt open when there is only an empty spool therein. However, when loaded and closed, the weight of the roll and/or the tension will maintain the compartment in closed position. This is a very convenient feature in that the automatic opening of the compartment gives notice that the supply roll has been nearly used up and insertion of a new roll is needed.

The leading edge of the sensitized material 22 is then fed between the feed-in rollers 19 and 20 by manually rotating the former until the material is engaged ap proximately ,2 to 3 inches and in position between the guide plate 34 and support 35.

To prepare the feeder for the insertion of the first original, a sheet of paper is inserted into the channel formed by the guide plates 11 and 10, the latter serving also as a feedboard, and is gripped by feed-in rollers 39 and 40. As it progresses toward the infeed rollers 7 and 8, its leading edge trips the finger 42 of the switch 42'.

As seen in FIG. 4, when this switch is actuated, it closes the clutch circuit, preparing it to be energized at alater time.

An instant later, the leading edge of the original 29 trips the finger 43 of the switch 43', thereby energizing the aforementioned clutch circuit.

As long as the two switches 42' and 43' are held in by the original, the clutch 25 will be energized and the sensitized material 22 will continue to be fed into the copying machine for processing.

The moment the trailing edge of the original passes by the end of sensing finger 42 of switch 42 the clutch is de-energized, thus stopping the drive roller 20 and the feeding of sensitized material 22. At the same instant that the, clutch is de-energized, the solenoid 38 is energized, causing the sensitized material 22 to be severed to a length equivalent to the length of the original 29.

A moment later the trailing edge of the original 29 7 passes by the sensing finger 43 of switch 43', thereby de-energizing the solenoid circuit and causing the rotary knife 37 to return to operating position. The feeding device is now prepared for the insertion of the next original or the re-insertion of the first original 29. However, because of the nature of the particular copying apparatus 6 shown, one must wait until the trailing edge of the original 29 passes by switch 44 which extinguishes the pilot light 45, indicating to the operator that the next original may be fed into the feeder for processing- The next original may be the same original 29 since, in such machines, the latter is ejected after exposure in order that another copy thereof may be made.

The electrical source in FIG. 4 is represented schematically by terminals (T1 and T2) which may be attached at any convenient location to the duplicating machine power source, and by the rectifier 46.

A switch 50 is connected in the feeder circuit in order that the feeder device may be turned off completely, thereby allowing the operator to use the original feed system for the insertion of pre-cut sensitized material of a dilferent nature than the material already loaded in the feeder compartment.

What is claimed is:

1. Roll feeding attachment for copying apparatus utilizing sensitized continuous web, material which, in contact with an original to be copied, is fed between infeed rollers into said apparatus for processing, comprising a storage roll of sail sensitized material, feed means over which said material is constrained to pass, guide means for directing said material toward engagement between said infeed rollers, cutting means in the path of said sensitized material, inlet feed means for conveying an original including a support therefor converging toward said infeed rollers, a pair of electrical sensing elements activated by the leading edge of the original upon insertion and deactivated by the trailing edge thereof, one of said sensing elements controlling the actuation of the feed means of said sensitized material and the other of said sensing elements controlling the operation of said cutting means, said inlet feed means and infeed rollers being interconnected to advance the original and sensitized material at the same rate whereby the length of the sensitized material cut from said roll entering said apparatus is substantially the same as that of the original.

2. Roll feeding attachment for copying apparatus utilizing sensitized continuous web material which, in contact with an original to be copied, is fed between infeed rollers into said apparatus for processing, comprising a storage roll of said sensitized material, feed.

ing edge thereof, one of said sensing elements controlling 1 the actuation of said driven roller feeding said sensitized material, and the other of said elements controlling the actuation of said cutting means, whereby the length of the sensitized material cut from said roll entering said apparatus is substantially the same as that of the original.

3. Roll feeding attachment for copying apparatus utilizing sensitized continuous web material which, in

contact with an original to be copied, is fed between power driven infeed rollers into said apparatus for processing, comprising a storage roll of said sensitized 1 material, feed means including a driven roller and an idler roller between which said material is constrained to pass, an electrical clutch coupling said driven roller to said infeed roller, a platform guide for directing said material toward engagement between said infeed rollers,

electrically operable cutting means in the path of said 1 sensitized material, an inlet feed channel for accommodating the original to be copied, said channel converging toward said infeed rollers, a pair of electrical switching means activated by the leading edge of the original upon insertion and deactivated by the trailing edge thereof,

one of said switching means controlling the energizing of said clutch and the other of said switching means controlling the operation of said cutting means, wherea by the length of the sensitized material cut from said 3 roll entering said apparatus is substantially the same as that of the original.

4. In a roll feeding device for copying apparatus r utilizing sensitized continuous web material which, in

contact with an original to be copied, is fed between i power operated infeed rollers into said apparatus for processing, a storage roll of said sensitized material,.a drive roller and an idler roller between which said material is constrained to pass, a friction drive between said idler and drive rollers, a platform guide for directing said material toward engagement between said infeed rollers, a rotary knife in the path of said sensitized material, an inlet feed channel guiding the original to be i copied toward said infeed rollers, a pair of electrical sensing elements activated by the leading edge of the original upon insertion and deactivated by the trailing edge thereof, one of said sensing elements controlling the engagement of said power operated drive and the other of said elements controlling the operation of said rotary knife cutting means, whereby the sensitized material entering said apparatus is cut from said roll in substantially the same length as that of the original.

5. In a roll feeding device for copying apparatus utilizing sensitized continuous web material which, in contact with an original to be copied, is fed between power operated infeed rollers into said apparatus for processing, a storage roll of said sensitized material, a drive roller and an idler roller between which said material is constrained to pass, an engageable power drive between said idler and drive rollers, an electrical clutch for said drive, a platform guide for directing said material toward engagement between said idler and drive rollers, a rotary knife in the path of said sensitized material, an inlet feed channel guiding the original to be copied toward said infeed rollers, a pair of electrical sensing elements actuated by the leading edge of the original upon insertion and released by the trailing edge thereof, the first of said sensing elements upon actuation establishing a circuit for energizing said knife and the second of said elements being actuated thereafter closing the circuit for said clutch, thereby energizing said power drive, said first sensing element upon being released by the trailing edge of said original opening the clutch circuit and simultaneously closing said circuit to said knife and severing said material and the second of said elements being released by said trailing edge, de-energizing said circuit to said knife.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,105,425 10/1963 Gerasani et al. 83-365 X 3,143,947 8/1964 Lirnberger 95-75 3,182,539 5/1965 Williams a- 83364 X 3,185,066 5/1965 Mason et al. 95-75 WILLIAM W. DYER, ]R., Primary Examiner.

I. M. MEISTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. ROLL FEEDING ATTACHMENT FOR COPYING APPARATUS UTILIZING SENSITIZED CONTINUOUS WEB MATERIAL WHICH, IN CONTACT WITH AN ORIGINAL TO BE COPIED, IS FED BETWEEN INFEED ROLLERS INTO SAID APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING, COMPRISING A STORAGE ROLL OF SAIL SENSITIZED MATERIAL, FEED MEANS OVER WHICH SAID MATERIAL IS CONSTRAINED TO PASS, GUIDE MEANS FOR DIRECTING SAID MATERIAL TOWARD ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID INFEED ROLLERS, CUTTING MEANS IN THE PATH OF SAID SENSITIZED MATERIAL, INLET FEED MEANS FOR CONVEYING AN ORIGINAL INCLUDING A SUPPORT THEREFOR CONVERGING TOWARD SAID INFEED ROLLERS, A PAIR FO ELECTRICAL SENSING ELEMENTS ACTIVATED BY THE LEADING EDGE OF THE ORIGINAL UPON INSERTION AND DETACTIVATED BY THE TRAILING EDGE THEREOF, ONE OF SAID SENSING ELEMENTS CONTROLLING THE ACTUATION OF THE FEED MEANS OF SAID SENSITIZED MATERIAL AND THE OTHER OF SAID SENSING ELEMENTS CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF SAID CUTTING MEANS, SAID INLET FEED MEANS AND INFEED ROLLERS BEING INTERCONNECTED TO ADVANCE THE ORIGINAL AND SENSITIZED MATERIAL AT THE SAME RATE WHEREBY THE LENGTH OF THE SENSITIZED MATEIAL CUT FROM SAID ROLL ENTERING SAID APPARATUS IS SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THAT OF THE ORIGINAL. 